Humanae Vitae – The Church’s Response to the Pill
Last week, I wrote about the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s controversial but prophetic encyclical, Humanae Vitae. This week, I would like to reflect on how the Church has responded to the very valid concern that many families have as they strive to be faithful to the Church’s teachings in regard to conception. In the face of the many challenges that children bring to a family, how does the Church recommend married couples engage in responsible family planning? As you will see mentioned several times in various Church documents, [...]
Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa
As I’m sure you know from ongoing news reports, so many countries throughout Africa face many economic and social hurdles brought on by crushing national debt, epidemics, severe poverty and political unrest. In spite of these many challenges – or, perhaps, because of them – the Catholic faith is flourishing throughout the continent. Over the years, I’ve had several occasions to travel to Africa to visit with family or friends or missionaries from the Philadelphia area who minister there. While visiting my cousins who lived in Durban, South Africa, I [...]